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#1 Syracuse Escapes NC State Upset (with a little help) 56-55

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10 years ago

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In a game where neither team shot over 40 percent, the Syracuse Orange squeaked out a win against N.C. State. Neither team ever got going offensively, and truthfully, neither team deserved a win.

The Pack used its size in the front court to take advantage and of small and injury-depleted Syracuse that only played with a six-man rotation. T.J. Warren was the leading scorer for the Pack, producing 23 points on 11-22 from the field. But State’s star of the night was freshman Kyle Washington, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds while effectively passing out of the high post and going after Syracuse’s zone down low.

Again, the Achilles heel for the Pack was its free throw shooting. The team went 7-14 from the line. But the team at least made them when they counted. Ralston Turner hit three key free throws to give N.C. State a 55-54 game with a minute left. But Syracuse got a big break when TJ Warren was fouled from behind on a breakaway but didn’t get an And1 or a flagrant. Instead it was an inbounds play which Syracuse took advantage of,  forcing Anthony Barber to turn the ball over with 13 seconds left. That turnover led to a fast break resulting in the game-winning lay up by Syracuse’s C.J. Fair.

Stats of the Game:

55 – Total points scored by the Pack. Had they won, it would have been the lowest-winning score by the Pack all season.

30% – N.C. State’s free throw percentage in the first half of the game. The Pack finished at 50 percent for the game, almost 20 percent below its season average.

19 – Number of free throws the Orange shot in the second half. That was five more that N.C. State shot in the entire game.

31,572 – Tonight’s crowd, the third-largest in the Carrier Dome this season.

Quotes of the game:

“I thought he was [pushed]. That one should have been counted. That was a made basket that should have put us ahead three with T.J. on the line to go up four”

-Coach Gottfried on the foul on the floor with 14 seconds left in the game.

“”He was terrific. For a young freshman to play like he did . . . he scored facing the basket, back to the basket, gets 10 rebounds. I thought he was terrific today.”

– Coach Gottfried on Washington’s play.

“If we play like we did, with the same intensity and same focus, who would we lose to on the rest of the schedule?”

Kyle Washington on his team’s effort.

“I think it shows that our team has grown a little bit from early on. But, that being said, we still have a ways to go. The good thing about it though, is there are a lot of positives that can be taken.”

– Ralston Turner on team growth

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NC State Basketball

PI EXCLUSIVE: Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill Explains Why He Chose NC State

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2 hours ago

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April 30, 2024

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Last week, Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill (6’4″/185) committed to NC State. I caught up with Hill to get his take on why he chose to run with the Wolfpack.

What were the reasons that ultimately led you to commit to NC State? What other schools were recruiting you besides the Wolfpack?

The coaching staff was very professional and straight to the point. They had a detailed plan of my role on the team and how it transitions to the next level. The campus was beautiful, and everyone was super nice. There were several schools from each of the Power 5 conferences that we talked to. The list was very long, and I would like to thank every coach that showed interest in me.

Break down your Official Visit. What did you do? What impression did it make on you and your family?

After entering the campus and meeting the entire coaching staff, we also met with academic advisors. School staff was super nice and acted like we were already family. We had lunch and dinner with staff, the restaurants were prepared, and the food was awesome. We toured the campus with staff, and were treated with a lot of respect. My family enjoyed the coaches and the campus environment.

How did Coach Keatts say you would fit within his offensive system?

Coach Keatts had prepared film on how I would fit into the offense, so after watching the video it was clearly understandable what my role would be.

What impression did NC State’s Final Four run have on you? How did it influence your decision?

NC State’s Final Four run impressed me due to the guys on the team being overlooked and undervalued. They played together and were really enjoying the moment. Basketball can be stressful, however they made it look exciting and fun.

What type of player is NC State getting in Marcus Hill?

Marcus Hill Jr., I’m a great person with a great attitude. I love to win and compete in everything I do. I take pride in defense, but can score from anywhere on the court. I’m unselfish and love to see my teammates succeed. I’ve been overlooked and underestimated, but My God has the ultimate say so!

_______

This past season, Hill averaged 20.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Falcons. He earned 1st Team All-MAC honors. Even though he was only at Bowling Green one season, he had one of the best seasons in school history, scoring 698 points, which ranks 5th all-time in program history for a single season.

For his first two years of collegiate ball, Hill played for Southern Union State College (JUCO) in Alabama. In 2022-23, Hill earned 3rd Team NJCAA All-American honors, and ranked as the #32 overall Junior College prospect.

247Sports ranks Hill as a 4-Star Transfer Prospect, and the #87 overall player in the Transfer Portal, and the #12 Shooting Guard.

Even though 247Sports and ON3 consider Hill a Shooting Guard, NC State is recruited him as a Point Guard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRh1suQzx08

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NC State Basketball

Guard Jayden Taylor will Return to NC State for his Final Year

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14 hours ago

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April 29, 2024

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Guard Jayden Taylor will be returning to NC State for his final season of eligibility.

At this point, I was expecting him to return, but now it is official.

This past season, Taylor averaged 11.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, shooting 46.5% from the field and 36.4% from three, which was a new career high by almost 4%.

Taylor started the first 24 games of the season, but after struggling in January, he became the Wolfpack’s 6th man. Taylor excelled as the 6th man, playing some of his best basketball of the season in that role, giving his team a much needed boost whenever he entered the game.

The return of Taylor was essential to NC State’s success next season. In a world where everyone seemingly hits the Portal, seeing Taylor, Pass, Middlebrooks, O’Connell and Rice not do so is a good sign (I know they still could).

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NC State Basketball

Boston Transfer Center Caitlin Weimar Commits to NC State

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4 days ago

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April 26, 2024

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Boston Transfer Center Caitlin Weimar (6’4″) has verbally committed to NC State for her final year.

Weimar took an Official Visit to NC State a little over a week ago.

She is the reigning Patriot League Player of the Year, and has been named Defensive Player of the Year the past two years. She has earned 1st Team Patriot League Honors the past two seasons.

This year, Weimar averaged 18.7 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. As a Junior, she averaged 15.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. She shot 55.5% this year, and 59.7% last year.

With the exodus of River Baldwin, picking up a commitment from Weimar is massive.

With the addition of Weimar, NC State now has 2 scholarships available heading into the 2024-25 season.

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NC State Basketball

Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill Commits to NC State!

Published

5 days ago

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April 25, 2024

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Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill (6’4″/185) has committed to NC State!

Hill took an Official Visit to NC State this past weekend.

This past season, Hill averaged 20.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Falcons. He earned 1st Team All-MAC honors. Even though he was only at Bowling Green one season, he had one of the best seasons in school history, scoring 698 points, which ranks 5th all-time in program history for a single season.

For his first two years of collegiate ball, Hill played for Southern Union State College (JUCO) in Alabama. In 2022-23, Hill earned 3rd Team NJCAA All-American honors, and ranked as the #32 overall Junior College prospect.

247Sports ranks Hill as a 4-Star Transfer Prospect, and the #81 overall player in the Transfer Portal, and the #11 Shooting Guard.

Even though 247Sports and ON3 consider Hill a Shooting Guard, NC State is recruiting him as a Point Guard.

Hill is the 4th player to transfer to NC State this offseason, joining Louisville’s Brandon Huntley-Hatfield & Mike James, and Georgetown’s Dontrez Styles.

With the addition of Hill, NC State now has 1 scholarship remaining for next season.

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